A Novato man charged with killing a 9-year-old girl during a drunken motorcycle ride last week was released from the hospital and booked into jail Monday for his initial court appearance Tuesday.

Edward John Schaefer, 43, is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail on charges of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, mayhem and causing injury while driving under the influence.

"This is a terrible tragedy," said Monica Rudden, one of Schaefer's public defenders. "It's premature for us to comment on the case as we just received the police report (Monday) morning. We ask the public not to rush to judgment."

Schaefer, who has six prior DUI-related convictions, could face 17 years to life in state prison if convicted in the death of Melody Osheroff and the maiming of her father, Aaron.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Melody, whose killing unleashed a flood of grief and rage. On Monday night, her family offered a statement of "gratitude for the generous outpouring of support from the Novato community.

"It has been encouraging to see that so many have been so active in taking initiative to help in whatever ways they can.

"Thank you to Melody's friends, fellow students, teachers, and neighbors who have come together to set up the memorial site and to share stories and remember Melody and our family.

"We appreciate all of your loving support for bringing awareness to what has happened, and we thank you for upholding us with your thoughts, prayers and efforts during this time."

The Osheroffs were walking across San Marin Drive near their home Wednesday night when a motorcyclist plowed into them in a crosswalk at San Carlos Way, authorities said.

Melody, a student at San Ramon Elementary School, died the next morning at Children's Hospital in Oakland.

Aaron Osheroff, 41, was airlifted with critical injuries to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where one of his legs was amputated. He remained in serious condition Monday in the hospital's intensive care unit, a nursing supervisor said.

Police identified the motorcyclist as Schaefer. He was hospitalized with moderate injuries until being transferred to jail Monday.

Authorities said Schaefer's blood-alcohol content was .16 percent at the time of the collision, more than twice the legal limit for driving. The incident has raised questions about whether Schaefer had a valid driving license despite his repeated DUI convictions.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Motor Vehicles said Schaefer last had his license renewed in February 2007, and that it was valid through March 2012. The DMV had no record of DUI convictions for Schaefer in more than 10 years, the length of time a DUI remains on a driver's sheet.

Schaefer was convicted of four DUI charges in Marin in 1990, 1991 and 1995, prosecutors said. A fifth DUI case occurred in Sonoma County in 2000, but prosecutors allowed Schaefer to plead guilty to a related reckless driving charge instead, according to court documents.

The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office was unable to comment on the circumstances Monday afternoon.

Schaefer's sixth and most recent DUI conviction did not occur in California. He was convicted in Washoe County, Nev., in January 2004.

Schaefer also received four speeding tickets between November 2007 and January 2009, but they were not enough accumulated points for a license suspension, the DMV spokeswoman said.